Peculiarities of Providing Psychological Assistance to Abused Children

Abstract

The paper reflects the content and forms of the sexual abuse of children and the features of incestuous abuse. It analyzes the impact of sexual abuse on a child’s life, including the immediate and long-term consequences of sexual violence. The paper determines the peculiarities of psychological assistance to sexually abused children, the goals of psychological support, the tasks and forms of conducting a psychological session with a child. The aim of the study is to identify the impact of psychological assistance on the dynamics and changes in the personal characteristics of sexually abused children. The empirical basis of the study consisted of 64 people (9 boys and 55 girls between the ages of 6 and 15) who had been sexually abused and received psychological assistance. The experimental study was conducted during 2019 and covered the results of observations, interviews with children who were the victims of violence, collecting formalized data using three multifactorial psychodiagnostic techniques. It was proved that psychotherapeutic work with this category of children contributes to changes in the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral spheres of personality. There were positive changes in mental states, gradual changes in the attitudes towards their body and assessment of their physicality, the development of sexuality, a correct idea of the body was formed, etc. The methodical complex used in the research confirmed its validity and it can be used as a psychological tool for diagnosing the mental trauma of abused children.